The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has adopted the renewable consumption obligation (RCO) framework notified by the Ministry of Power (MoP).

The Commission has adopted the provisions in the MoP’s notification in their entirety. These include the RCO targets, compliance framework, computation methodology,  fungibility provisions, exclusions, and reporting formats.

The target of 43.33% RCO by financial year (FY) 2030 comprises 3.48% from wind energy, 1.33% from hydro energy, 4.5% from distributed renewable energy, and 34.02% from other renewable energy sources.

The adopted framework will apply to distribution licensees, open access consumers, and captive users in the state.

The Commission has directed that the renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets previously specified under its regulations will stand subsumed within the RCO targets with effect from FY 2025. No additional or separate RPO will be applicable thereafter.

However, proceedings for periods before FY 2025 will continue under the existing RPO regulations.

All obligated entities must furnish information in the formats prescribed in the MoP’s RCO Notification. The information must be certified by the State Load Dispatch Centre for distribution licensees. The certification must be carried out by a Bureau of Energy Efficiency-empanelled accredited energy auditing firm for other designated consumers.

The order provides that non-compliance with the RCO framework will attract penalties, including shortfalls in meeting RCO targets, non-submission of information, or submission of incorrect information.

The Commission noted that it has already proposed amendments to the RPO Regulations, 2023, to align them with the new notification. However, considering that the amendment process may take time, it found it necessary to give immediate effect to the RCO framework to avoid any regulatory vacuum.

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